How does silica affect a volcano eruption?

Answer 1

The higher the silica content of the magma, the more viscous the magma.

The higher the viscosity of the magma, the more explosive the eruptions of the volcano tend to be.

Lower silica content lavas tend to form shield volcanoes (such as the type formed on Hawaii) where the lava can flow very long distances as it has a much lower viscosity.

Answer 2

The amount of silica (SiO2) controls the viscosity, or the resistance of a substance to flow. The higher the silica level, the more viscous the magma is; therefore, the volcano eruption is greater and more explosive.

MORE SILICA => HIGHER THE VISCOSITY=> GREATER THE EXPLOSION

You're welcome ;)

So the low silica has less violence

Answer 3

The more silica there is in a mass of magma, the more viscous it is, meaning the more it will resist flowing. A more viscous lava will be more difficult to erupt and can also hold more dissolved gasses. Low-silica magmas, primarily basaltic magmas, erupt fairly easily without too much force having to be applied, and so eruptions involving them are usually not particularly violent. Such magma usually do not hold much gas, which means there is little to no explosivity.

Magmas with a medium to high silica content. generally ranging from andesite to rhyolite, take a a lot of force to move through the earth, and can hold large quantities of dissolved gasses. When the magma reaches shallower levels, the gasses suddenly leave the solution and expand, resulting in an explosion.

Answer 4

Silica-rich magma can lead to explosive volcanic eruptions because it is more viscous, trapping gases that build up pressure until they are released with explosive force. Silica-rich magma tends to produce more explosive eruptions with ash clouds and pyroclastic flows. Silica content can vary among different types of volcanoes, impacting their eruption styles.

Answer 5

yes more silica or water in the magma content makes volcanoes more explosive.

Answer 6

Hhhh